Dreamy Portugal escape to Lisbon & Madeira with excursions

Discover Portugal highlights and hop from lovely Lisbon to the blissful island of Madeira - includes flights, board options, a catamaran tour and more

Day 1-3: UK – Lisbon

Step off the plane into the balmy Lisbon air, and settle into your hotel before taking time to discover the city at your leisure. Wander the winding streets of the Alfama District (the city’s oldest neighbourhood) with Moorish roots and classic Azul tiling. You could stop by Lisbon’s impressive Time Out Market for a culinary treat, or indulge in a pastel de nata at an authentic pastry shop. Take a scenic stroll along the Tagus River, and perhaps hop in a boat tour to glimpse the city’s iconic sights from the water, like the Belém Tower and 25th of April Bridge. Come evening, why not catch a lively fado performance? On day three, make your way to the airport for your connecting flight on to Madeira.

Day 4-7: Madeira

Touch down in Madeira, a Portuguese paradise on beautiful volcanic landscape with year-round warm climates. You’ll be transferred to your hotel, to settle in and soak up the stunning scenes. Aquatic and inland adventures abound, with gorgeous, mountain terrain and clear seas fantastic for snorkelling. The Old Town of Funchal is culturally rich, with colourful buildings, beautiful period architecture and spectacular views across the bay.

During your stay three guided levada walking tours are included. Your guide will pick you up for the tours, which will be spread across two and a half days. The two full-day tours, about four to five hours long, will lead you along a levada (a Portuguese irrigation canal used to convey water from one side of the mountains to another). Marvel at Madeira’s beautiful flora and fauna, with glimpses of sea and mountains beyond. The half-day tour (about two hours) also follows a levada trail, leading you into the ancient natural beauty of Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Please note, there may be some brief, steep sections to traverse at the beginning and end of the levada trails.)

You'll also get to look forward to a three-hour sea-bound adventure on a catamaran and gaze back at Madeira's gorgeous coastline. The stars of the show - if you’re lucky – will be the whales and dolphins who crest the surface to say hello. Embrace the waves with a tipple or two ordered from the on-board bar. In the summer months, you'll get the chance to take a dip beneath Cabo Girão great promontory - a spectacular 580 metre sea cliff, one of the highest in Europe.

When you’ve had your fill of Madeira’s magic, it’ll be time to transfer back to the airport in time for your UK-bound flight.

With the nine-night itinerary, you will stay seven nights in Madeira.